PPP Isn’t Convinced!

Zardari -- as it looks -- will never reinstate the Nov 2 judiciary. It is time to break this coalition -- and let the congenitally corrupt -- NRO bribed -- Zardari the durbari -- become the new court jester of the Musharraf Durbar.

This facade of 'reconciliation' was just a cruel smokescreen to neutralize Nawaz Sharif's opposition to Musharraf's dictatorship.

Zardari is utterly unreliable – a shameless opportunist -- besides being a compulsive liar. Zardari's promises carry no meaning -- he gives his word today only to take them back next day -- he makes promises only to break them later -- the extension of deadlines is sickening.

Other than being unreliable Zardari is a compulsive bribe-taker -- no bribe big or small -- what to talk about the biggest NRO bribes -- will ever escape his greasy hands.

Zardari will not only destroy the Coalition, he will destroy the PPP -- he will destroy the nascent democracy -- he will destroy the mass's overwhelming mandate -- and he will destroy the legacy of ZAB and Benazir for all time to come.

Nawaz Sharif should let him go -- Zardari deserves the company of the lotas like Altaf Husain, Chaudry brothers, Niyazis.

Zardari deserves Musharraf and Musharraf deserves Zardari.

Zardari will be comfortable in the role of one of the Chilum boys of the Musharraf court -- that he covets and craves so much -- instead of working to fulfill the mandate that people handed to his undeserving hands.

prophetboy: meet the new boss, same as the old boss..

Why another crackdown on media is round the corner

Monday, May 12, 2008
Comment

By Ansar Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: Yet again, the media in Pakistan is under serious threat. Alarm bells have already started ringing. Naked warnings are being overtly given. Lists of "troublemakers" in the media are being compiled and the NRO-laundered intelligence sleuths are being assigned to straighten out the "crooked" pen pushers.

Some media houses have been pinpointed for "conspiring" against the elected government (read presidency if you like) and are being warned to get ready for another round of beating. The stage is being set to teach the unrepentant media a lesson.

The assault could be subtle. It could be uncouth and blatant. It could be direct. It could be vicious. Some fear, perhaps it has already been conceptualised and may be launched within days, if not already put into action.

The journalists smell a rat when they talk with government leaders, but they have not panicked. They are rather relaxed and prepared for the fight to defend the freedom of the press as guaranteed by the Constitution.

It might be new for the present day masters of our destiny to flex their newly acquired state muscles to tame the media but those associated with this profession are used to it. From the days of the draconian press laws introduced by the first military dictator of Pakistan General Ayub Khan to the era of public whipping of journalists during Zia's Martial Law and then to the post Nov 3, 2007 media-specific black days of General Musharraf's military rule, not to mention the wrongs done to the country's press during the democratic governments of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, the losers have always been those trying to strangulate the media.

But the rulers perhaps are not in the habit of learning lessons from other people's experiences. At least, it seems so from what is being contemplated now to gag the media, whose major crime today is that it reminds the leaders of their actions and promises of the past.

A lunch hosted by a PML-Q lady MNA at her Margalla Road house on Friday served as an opportunity for a selected gathering of "notorious" journalists to share their views on the looming threats to the media.

The host of Aaj TV's popular programme 'Bolta Pakistan' and senior journalist Nusrat Javeed believes that the crackdown on media is just round the corner. It might strike us in just a few days. He was of the view that a 'financial emergency' was likely to be imposed to attain the objectives of the vested interests.

Hamid Mir, the host of Geo TV's CapitalTalk and a senior columnist, was certain that the D-day was just 10 days away. He said that the list of five marked journalists had swelled to 17 and possibly included the names of most of those invited to the lunch.

According to Hamid Mir's assessment, amongst the media houses, Geo News, The News and Aaj Television were said to be the first in the firing line. † Our Group Editor Shaheen Sehbai perhaps had some clear picture of what was simmering against the media but for being a man of few words he kept his secrets to himself.

Syed Talat Hussain shared his latest confrontation with some presidency-backed local businessman, who told him that the media was responsible for all the present ills of Pakistan. The man had reportedly celebrated the March 9, 2007 removal of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry because the latter had ruined his golf dreams. It had all happened because of the media, so for the likes of this man media is undoubtedly the villain and, therefore, should be cursed.

Kashif Abbasi of the ARY TV was sharing with this scribe the kind of pressures he was presently facing. Geo TV's Dr Shahid Masood from Dubai explained as to why he focused on Rehman Malik in his popular programme 'Meray Mutabiq' on Saturday night. Dr Shahid said that during his last visit to Islamabad, he got a plain warning from Rehman Malik in the presence of Asif Ali Zardari.

"The situation is really scary," he said, adding that Rehman Malik talked of his "punches" to respond to the "punches" of the media. Malik, he said, introduced himself as the establishment and the master of all the intelligence agencies. "Honestly, it was shocking for me," Dr Shahid said, adding that Benazir Bhutto had done a lot to support the cause of the independent media, particularly after Nov 3, 2007 but things had now changed altogether.

Media is today the only pillar of the state that is still standing but under a serious threat. The other key pillar, the judiciary, was made to collapse on Nov 3, 2007 when General Musharraf carried out his coup against the institution. The new parliament is already is shambles and lacks confidence. The Executive is simply nowhere and is hostage to the status quo of the remnants of the past military regime.

May one ask the champions of democracy and the masters of our destiny on what grounds and basis do they intend to run the state. Can the state survive without these pillars? Have our leaders developed some innovative vision, alien to the world's experiences, to run the country? Are we going to prove to the world that we actually are a banana republic? Enjoy your bananas.

Re: # 174 Posted by ahmedmadani on May 10, 2008 6:04:34 pm

ahmedmadani sahib,

you remain a comedian when you write nonsense praisng the biggest mafiaso boss of all times.

[As usual Quaid E Awam altafbhai is doing to best to save this govt and save pakistan.]

This group of uthaigeeras do not know how to save anything, except being in ruling coalition to create confusion and cause further destruction of Pakistan.

Did you ever get paid for those math lessons that your students got from you?

Zardari, while praising Altaf Hussain, said: “Altaf Bhai has made a lot of struggle which can never be undone,” and pledged that “we should help the MQM and the MQM should help us.”

"Mun tora haaji ba goyam tu mera haaji ba go" -- Zardari Bhaiya will forget the May mayhem if Altaf Bhaiya will forgive the December destruction.

"Zardari, while praising Altaf Hussain, said: “Altaf Bhai has made a lot of struggle which can never be undone,” and pledged that “we should help the MQM and the MQM should help us.”

As one thug to the other.

As usual Quaid E Awam altafbhai is doing to best to save this govt and save pakistan. Nobody is expressing gratitude to him. Let all pray mr. Z and NS will head sageous advice by MQM Chief Altaf hussain and both come to senses.

KARACHI: MQM founder Altaf Hussain and PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari met on Saturday and pledged to collectively take the country out of the crisis. After the meeting, Zardari told the media the PML-Q was a reality and “we desire that the PML-Q should help the present government in all its positive steps.”

Referring to the judges’ issue, Altaf Hussain suggested that Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif should show some flexibility for the early solution of the issue.

The two leaders had a three-hour meeting at a hotel in London on Friday.

Altaf said: “We had never broken ranks with Nawaz Sharif but he did it with the MQM. We still want to join hands with him and would welcome him (Nawaz).” He said the judges’ issue should be resolved as early as possible and in an amicable manner before it was too late.

Zardari, while praising Altaf Hussain, said: “Altaf Bhai has made a lot of struggle which can never be undone,” and pledged that “we should help the MQM and the MQM should help us.”

Zardari also made a pledge to contest the next election jointly with the MQM and said any problems will be faced collectively and jointly.

Zardari told the media after the meeting that the future line of action had been discussed in the talks.

To a question, Zardari said the PML-Q was a reality and “we do not have any plans of vengeance against it and we desire that the PML-Q should help the present government in all its positive steps.”

Zardari said it was also decided that the MQM and the PPP would work jointly for the betterment and development of the country.

During the meeting, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik and Hussain Haqqani were also present.

Replying to a question, Altaf Hussain said Nawaz Sharif was a national leader and a reality of the country and he had the mandate of the masses. “We (MQM) do not have any grudge against Nawaz.”

Altaf prayed that the unity of the PPP and the PML-N may continue as it was in the larger interests of the country.

what happened to your old computer prophetboy? You took out your anger and frustration on it?

#171 very good arjun. you are getting smarter every decade, i notice.

#168 Posted by tahmed32 on May 10, 2008 10:11:27 am


mao-tse tung said "who cares if the cat is black or white if it catches mice"


mao was right..

And America doesn't care if the leash is leather or plastic as long as it whacks the jihadis...

#169 so, did you do a character check on the guy who installed your security system?

Re: # 168

tahmed,

.... so you would have a burglar install your home security system so that he can come back and strangle you in bed ? ....... you deserve to die

#156 "personalities do matter"? only to a dimwit!

mao-tse tung said "who cares if the cat is black or white if it catches mice". now you can call mao-tse tung a fool too.

#156 "personalities do matter"? only to a dimwit!

mao-tse tung said "who cares if the cat is black or white if it catches mice". now you can call mao-tse tung a fool too.

tahmed,

you are a senile old fool ! .... would you invite a buglar to install your home security system ? ....personalities do matter .... even your precious prophet had to establish his credentials as an 'honest' person (or so they say) before he was able to fool the people into buying his religion ........

hamidm: namecalling is no substitute for a reasoned discussion either.

and you are still squarely stuck in this personalities rut ("these lawyers are like this" and "those politicians are like that"). despite my suggestion you go up the evolutionary scale a notch and think systems and results.

Re: # 163

tahmed,

... you are a bigger fool than i thought ... you think zardari, nawaz, the corrupt judge and the unemployable lawyers represent the rule of law ?!! ..... don't forget that these lawyers elected malik qayoom as the president of their hijra association ........